Partial protective wear

ABSTRACT

The present invention is partial protective wear for protecting the front surface of a hand, the palm, front surface of the fingers, side surface of the fingers, webs and nails. The partial protective wear includes a body with a periphery edge that defines a palm portion, finger portion, web portion and nail portion. The body includes an attachment side and a protective side. The attachment side releasably attaches the partial protective wear on the front surface of the hand. The palm portion protects the palm of the hand. The finger portion protects the front surface and side surface of the fingers of the hand. The nail portion protects the nail plates and nail grooves of the hand and the web portion protects the webs of the hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective wear and more particularly to protective wear that protects certain portions of the hand or foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basking in the sun is known to be bad for your skin and could lead to skin cancer. These risks have been alleviated with the introduction of self tanners. Self tanners include creams, lotions, gels, and sprays. Self tanners have a skin staining or coloration effect.

Self tanners affect any area of the skin to which it is applied. If protective hand and foot wear is not worn during application, the palms of hands, soles of feet, front surface and side surface of fingers, bottom surface and side surface of toes, webs between the fingers and toes, as well as nails are affected, and the discoloration is not easily removed.

Plastic or rubber gloves and socks can be used to prevent the self tanner from coming into contact with the palms, soles, fingers, toes, webs and nails. However, gloves and socks prevent the self tanner from contacting the backside of hands and fingers as well as the topside of feet and toes resulting in a tan line around the wrists and ankles.

An applicator as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,406 teaches a pad that covers the palmar side of the hand, but does not protect the sides of fingers from coloration or staining. Further, the pad does not protect the webs and nails from coloration or staining.

There is a demand for protective wear that effectively guards the palms of hands, soles of feet, front surface and side surface of fingers, bottom surface and side surface of toes, webs, and nails from undesired staining or coloration, while allowing desired staining or coloration to the back surface of hands and fingers as well as the top surface of feet and toes. The present invention satisfies that demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention effectively guards the palms of hands, soles of feet, front surface and side surface of fingers, bottom surface and side surface of toes, webs, and nails from undesired staining or coloration as a result of self tanners. The present invention prevents self tanners from contacting those portions of the hands and feet covered by the partial protective wear. Although the present invention is discussed in reference self tanners, the present invention is applicable to tanning outside under the sun or inside under artificial sun, e.g., tanning beds. The partial protective wear of the present invention allows desired staining or coloration to the back surface of hands and fingers as well as the top surface of feet and toes.

The present invention is partial protective wear for protecting a portion of a hand, such as the front surface of a hand including palm, fingers, sides of fingers, webs and nails. The partial protective wear includes a body with a periphery edge that defines a palm portion, finger portion, web portion and nail portion. The body includes an attachment side and a protective side. The attachment side releasably attaches the partial protective wear on the front surface of the hand. The palm portion protects the palm of a hand. The finger portion protects the front surface and side surface of fingers of a hand. The nail portion protects the nails of a hand and the web portion protects the webs of a hand.

A web is the skin between two fingers or two toes. Nails include nail plate, under the nail plate, and the nail groove including cuticle. The nail plate is the hard and translucent part. Under the nail plate is the part of the nail plate that extends past the end of a finger. The nail groove is the fold of the skin on the sides of the nail plate including cuticle at the proximal end of the nail.

The body of the present invention is formed of a material such as synthetic resin, plastic, latex, rubber, cotton, or any material that is flexible yet resists self tanners such that the coloration or staining does not permeate the material. Likewise, any material can be used that does not react with the self tanners, sun or artificial sun. It is contemplated that the partial protective wear of the present invention can be made of a combination of materials, such as rubber for the attachment side and cotton for the protective side. Furthermore, the material can be waterproof.

The flexible material from which the present invention is formed can include application of the material in a liquid state that solidifies over the portions of the hands and feet to be protected from coloration or staining. Examples of materials that solidify from a liquid state include, for example, latex, rubber, wax, composite material, epoxy and polymers.

The attachment side may include any substance disposed thereon that adheres or sticks to a surface of the skin and nails. Types of adhesives include natural, synthetic, drying, contact, reactive, light curing, heat activating and pressure sensitive adhesives.

The present invention may include a removable liner covering the attachment side. The liner is removed from the body to expose the adhesive on the attachment side.

In one embodiment, the attachment side includes a pressure sensitive adhesive with attachment strength sufficient to hold the body of the protective wear onto a hand during use, but allow for the easy removal thereof after use.

It is also contemplated that the attachment side adheres to a surface of the skin subsequent to the skin surface contacting an adhesive. The partial protective wear may also adhere to the skin upon contact such that body heat activates the attachment side.

It is further contemplated that the present invention may include a tab portion along the peripheral edge for ease of putting on or taking off the partial protective wear. Likewise, the nail portion can be pulled back from the nail to assist in the removal of the partial protective wear.

The present invention can include a moisturizer or conditioner on the attachment side to impart or restore hydration to the skin. It is also contemplated a moisturizer or conditioner can be included on the protective side to impart or restore hydration during application of the self tanner.

The present invention can be “one-size-fits-all”. Other embodiments include various sizes, for example, small, medium and large. It is also contemplated that the periphery edge includes a plurality of removable, such as perforated, concentric rims. The removable rims allow the partial protective wear to fit a desired hand or foot size. In addition, the palm portion, finger portion, web portion and nail portion can each have a plurality of removable rims.

The present invention can be reusable or disposable.

The partial protective wear can further include a back portion that covers the back of the hand, while still offering partial protection. The back portion of the protective wear can allow for different absorption rates compared to other portions. For example, the palmar portion is made of a material that does not allow for absorption of the self tanner whereas the back portion is made of a material that allows for absorption of the self tanner to affect the staining or coloration of the skin.

The present invention and its attributes and advantages will be further understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description below of presently contemplated embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back surface of a human hand;

FIG. 2 is a front surface of a human hand;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of partial protective wear configured to the human hand of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of partial protective wear configured to the human hand of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of partial protective wear configured to the human hand of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of this application, the present invention is discussed in reference to hands, but the present invention is equally applicable to the feet.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, hand 100 includes a front surface 140 and back surface 150. Hand 100 includes palm 105, digits or fingers 110, webs 120, nail plates 160, and nail grooves 170. The first digit 111, otherwise referred to as little finger, second digit 113 (ring finger), third digit 115 (middle finger), fourth digit 117 (index finger) and fifth digit 119 (thumb finger) each include front surfaces 140, back surfaces 150 and side surfaces 130. Little finger 111 includes front surface 141, back surface 151 and side surface 131. Ring finger 113 includes front surface 143, back surface 153 and side surface 133. Middle finger 115 includes front surface 145, back surface 155 and side surface 135. Index finger 117 includes front surface 147, back surface 157 and side surface 137. Thumb finger 119 includes front surface 149, back surface 159 and side surface 139. Webs 120 include the loose skin between two fingers. First web 121 connects little finger 111 and ring finger 113. Second web 123 connects right finger 113 and middle finger 115. Third web 125 connects middle finger 115 and index finger 117. Fourth web 127 connects index finger 117 and thumb finger 119.

Nail plates 160 and nail grooves 170 are located on back surface 150. Little finger 111 includes nail plate 161 with nail groove 171. Ring finger 113 includes nail plate 163 with nail groove 173. Middle finger 115 includes nail plate 165 with nail groove 175. Index finger 117 includes nail plate 167 with nail groove 177. Thumb finger 119 includes nail plate 169 with nail groove 179.

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate the present invention configured to a human hand. The present invention is partial protective wear 200 for protecting the front surface 140 of a hand including the palm, front surface of fingers, side surface of fingers, webs and nails. The partial protective wear 200 includes a body 202 with a periphery edge 204 that defines a palm portion 240, finger portion 210, web portion 220 and nail portion 260. The body 202 includes an attachment side 206 and a protective side 208. The attachment side 206 releasably attaches the partial protective wear 200 on the front surface 140 of the hand 100. The palm portion 240 protects the palm 105 of a hand 100. The finger portion 210 protects the front surface 140 and side surface 130 of fingers 110 of a hand 100. The nail portion 260 protects the nail plates 160 and nail grooves 170 of a hand 100 and the web portion 220 protects the webs 120 of a hand 100.

The attachment side 206 adheres the partial protective wear 200 to the hand 100 protecting the front surface 140, including areas of the palm 105, front surfaces 141, 143, 145, 147, 149 of fingers 110, side surfaces 131, 133, 135, 137 139 of fingers 110, webs 121, 123, 125, 127, nail plates 161, 163, 165, 167, 169 and nail grooves 171, 173, 175, 177, 179. The protective side 208 protects these areas from coloration or staining.

In one embodiment, a removable paper liner (not shown) is positioned over adhesive on the attachment side 206 until the partial protective wear 200 is to be used. Other embodiments include application to the hand a material that solidifies from a liquid state to form the partial protective wear. Other embodiments may include a pressure sensitive adhesive or heat activating adhesion.

With respect to embodiments with a removable paper liner, the adhesive on the attachment side 206 is exposed by removal of the paper liner. The body 202 is attached by pressing the hand 100 onto the attachment side 206 such that the palm portion 240 covers the palm 105 of the hand 100, the finger portion 210 covers the front surface 140 and side surface 130 of the fingers 110, the web portion 220 covers the webs 120, and the nail portion 260 covers the nail plates 160 and nail grooves 170 by bending the nail portion 260 over the top of the fingers 110.

The attachment side 206 releaseably attaches the body 202 to the hand 100 while sealing the front surface 140 including the palm 105, side surface 130 of fingers 110, webs 120, nail plates 160 and nail grooves 170 from contact with the self tanner. The self tanner is applied to the skin. The partial protective wear 200 is removed by simply peeling the body 202 from the hand 100. It is also contemplated that tabs (not shown) can assist in the removal of the body 202 or one or more nail portion 260 can be pulled back from the nail plates 160 and nail grooves 170 to assist in the removal of the body 202 from the hand 100.

The present invention is discussed in reference to self tanners, but it is contemplated the present invention can be utilized with other applications. For example, the protective side of the present invention can be composed of a sandpaper material for sanding surfaces.

As another example, the present invention can include a healing substance on the attachment side for application to injuries sustained on the palms of hands, soles of feet, sides of fingers and toes, webs between the fingers and toes, as well as nails. Likewise, a healing substance can be included on the protective side for application to injuries sustained on other parts of the body.

A gardener may utilize the present invention while gardening outside to allow the sun to tan the tops of the hands while preventing dirt and debris from contacting the palms, sides of fingers, webs and nails.

Besides protecting from self tanners, the present invention can be utilized to protect the palms of hands, sides of fingers, webs between the fingers, as well as nails during application of depilatory and bleaching products.

The present invention can be worn to protect the palms of hands, sides of fingers, webs between the fingers, as well as nails from the handling of materials, for example money, coins, cards, artwork, etc.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have herein been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 

1. Partial protective wear for protecting the front surface of a hand, the palm, front surface of the fingers, and side surfaces of the fingers, comprising: a body including an attachment side and a protective side; wherein said body includes a periphery edge defining a palm portion and a finger portion; said attachment side for releasable attachment of said partial protective wear on the front surface of the hand such that said palm portion protects the palm of the hand, and said finger portion protects the front surface and the side surfaces of the fingers of the hand.
 2. The partial protective wear of claim 1, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a web portion that protects the webs of the hand.
 3. The partial protective wear of claim 1, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a nail portion that protects the nails of the hand.
 4. The partial protective wear of claim 1, wherein said attachment side further includes an adhesive.
 5. The partial protective wear of claim 1, wherein said periphery edge further defines a tab portion for ease of putting on and taking off said partial protective wear.
 6. The partial protective wear of claim 1, wherein said body further comprises a moisturizer.
 7. The partial protective wear of claim 1, wherein said body is formed from a flexible synthetic resin.
 8. The partial protective wear of claim 1 further comprising a back portion, wherein said back portion is made of an absorbing material.
 9. Partial protective wear for protecting the front surface of a hand, the palm, front surface of the fingers, and webs of fingers, comprising: a body including an attachment side and a protective side; wherein said body includes a periphery edge defining a palm portion, finger portion and a web portion; said attachment side for releasable attachment of said partial protective wear on the front surface of the hand such that said palm portion protects the palm of the hand, said finger portion protects the front surface of the fingers of the hand, and said web portion protects the webs of the hand.
 10. The partial protective wear of claim 9, wherein said finger portion further protects the side surfaces of the fingers.
 11. The partial protective wear of claim 9, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a nail portion that protects the nails of the hand.
 12. The partial protective wear of claim 9, wherein said attachment side further includes an adhesive.
 13. The partial protective wear of claim 9, wherein said periphery edge further defines a tab portion for ease of putting on and taking off said partial protective wear.
 14. The partial protective wear of claim 9, wherein said body further comprises a moisturizer.
 15. Partial protective wear for protecting the front surface of a hand, the palm, front surface of the fingers, and nails of the hand, comprising: a body including an attachment side and a protective side; wherein said body includes a periphery edge defining a palm portion, finger portion and a nail portion; said attachment side for releasable attachment of said partial protective wear on the front surface of the hand such that said palm portion protects the palm of the hand, said finger portion protects the front surface of the fingers of the hand, and said nail portion protects the nails of the hand.
 16. The partial protective wear of claim 15, wherein said finger portion further protects the side surfaces of the fingers.
 17. The partial protective wear of claim 15, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a web portion that protects the webs of the hand.
 18. The partial protective wear of claim 15, wherein said attachment side further includes an adhesive.
 19. The partial protective wear of claim 15, wherein said periphery edge further defines a tab portion for ease of putting on and taking off said partial protective wear.
 20. The partial protective wear of claim 15, wherein said body further comprises a moisturizer.
 21. Partial protective wear for protecting the bottom surface of a foot, the sole, bottom surface of the toes, and side surfaces of the toes, comprising: a body including an attachment side and a protective side; wherein said body includes a periphery edge defining a sole portion and a toe portion; said attachment side for releasable attachment of said partial protective wear on the bottom surface of the foot such that said sole portion protects the sole of the foot, and said toe portion protects the bottom surface and the side surfaces of the toes of the foot.
 22. The partial protective wear of claim 21, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a web portion that protects the webs of the toes.
 23. The partial protective wear of claim 21, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a nail portion that protects the nails of the toes.
 24. The partial protective wear of claim 21, wherein said attachment side further includes an adhesive.
 25. The partial protective wear of claim 21, wherein said periphery edge further defines a tab portion for ease of putting on and taking off said partial protective wear.
 26. The partial protective wear of claim 21, wherein said body further comprises a moisturizer.
 27. The partial protective wear of claim 21, wherein said body is formed from a flexible synthetic resin.
 28. The partial protective wear of claim 21 further comprising a back portion, wherein said back portion is made of an absorbing material.
 29. Partial protective wear for protecting the bottom surface of a foot, the sole, bottom surface of the toes, and webs of toes, comprising: a body including an attachment side and a protective side; wherein said body includes a periphery edge defining a sole portion, toe portion and a web portion; said attachment side for releasable attachment of said partial protective wear on the bottom surface of the foot such that said sole portion protects the sole of the foot, said toe portion protects the bottom surface of the toes of the foot, and said web portion protects the webs of the foot.
 30. The partial protective wear of claim 29, wherein said toe portion further protects the side surfaces of the toes.
 31. The partial protective wear of claim 29, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a nail portion that protects the nails of the toes.
 32. The partial protective wear of claim 29, wherein said attachment side further includes an adhesive.
 33. The partial protective wear of claim 29, wherein said periphery edge further defines a tab portion for ease of putting on and taking off said partial protective wear.
 34. The partial protective wear of claim 29, wherein said body further comprises a moisturizer.
 35. Partial protective wear for protecting the bottom surface of a foot, the sole, bottom surface of the foot, and nails of the foot, comprising: a body including an attachment side and a protective side; wherein said body includes a periphery edge defining a sole portion, toe portion and a nail portion; said attachment side for releasable attachment of said partial protective wear on the bottom surface of the foot such that said sole portion protects the sole of the foot, said toe portion protects the bottom surface of the toes of the foot, and said nail portion protects the nails of the foot.
 36. The partial protective wear of claim 35, wherein said toe portion further protects the side surfaces of the toes of the foot.
 37. The partial protective wear of claim 35, wherein said periphery edge of said body further defines a web portion that protects the webs of the foot.
 38. The partial protective wear of claim 35, wherein said attachment side further includes an adhesive.
 39. The partial protective wear of claim 35, wherein said periphery edge further defines a tab portion for ease of putting on and taking off said partial protective wear.
 40. The partial protective wear of claim 35, wherein said body further comprises a moisturizer. 